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G. Terry Madonna, Ph.D., director of the Franklin & Marshall College poll, said Mr. Romney clearly won, but neither he nor Christopher P. Borick, Ph.D., the pollster at Muhlenberg College, were certain it would make much of a difference in the contest.

"I think it went as expected," Dr. Borick said. "Both did very respectable jobs and didn't damage either of their cases. I don't think you can rate either candidate as having an exceptional performance that would be anything close to a game-changer in this campaign."

"It was a clear victory (for Romney)," Dr. Madonna said. "The question is was it transformative and to what extent would it jump-start the Romney campaign. Let's put it this way: he desperately needed tonight, and he did what he had to do given the fact that there are rarely moments in debates that end campaigns."

Dr. Madonna said Mr. Obama undoubtedly "was not at the top of his game." He was surprised the president never used Mr. Romney's controversial quote that 47 percent who receive federal government aid consider themselves victims.

"He appeared uncomfortable. You looked at him, he was looking down. I didn't get any sense he was really comfortable," Dr. Madonna said. "He pointed out some differences, but not what I thought he would be. He almost seemed to lack energy."

Dr. Borick and Dr. Madonna said the debate was heavy on detailed policy, a development that Dr. Madonna said could work to the president's advantage because many people don't pay much attention to policy details.

"I think they both demonstrated their policy chops," Dr. Borick said. "They're wonkish. â¦ I think almost any voter that watched that has little doubt that these are capable and knowledgeable individuals when it comes to the policies."

Dr. Borick said he does not believe Mr. Romney connected to voters on a personal level, though independent voters - a class the Republican needs to attract - were probably "impressed with his knowledge and his demeanor."

"I think he looked presidential," he said.

Mr. Obama did nothing to harm his chances, Dr. Borick said.

"The president is the front-runner, and when you're the frontrunner, you want to avoid â¦ creating any openings that can easily be taken advantage of and the president (did) that tonight," he said.

Dr. Madonna said Mr. Romney could gain a point or two in the polls.

"In a close race, that could make a difference, but we're not talking about swings of 5, 6 or 7 percentage points," he said. "But, look, this is a strange election. Who knows what's going to happen?"

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